CLEVELAND — Wide receiver Rashard Higgins and linebacker Christian Kirksey, who were fan favorites during their time in Cleveland, are signing one-day contracts so they can retire as Browns.
Higgins was a fifth-round selection back in 2016 by the Browns, where he became a solid wideout for the team. His best season came in 2019, recording 37 catches for a career-high 599 yards (16.2 per reception) and four touchdowns.
His 1,890 career receiving yards with the Browns ranks 34th all-time on the franchise’s receiving yards list. He last played three games for Carolina during the 2022 season.
The Browns took Kirksey in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft, where he’d play for six of his nine professional seasons. He made his mark early on as one of the best tacklers not only on the team but in the league.
“We are thrilled that Rashard and Christian wanted to come back and retire as Cleveland Browns,” s aid JW Johnson. “Both players obviously made an impact on the field, but they each made a lasting impression in the Cleveland community as well. It’s a testament to who they are as individuals, and we are honored to have them retire as part of our Browns family.”
After totaling 144 tackles through his first two seasons, Kirksey eclipsed that total with 148 tackles in 2016, third in the league. The next season he tied for fourth in tackles (138), along with tying a career-high 3.5 sacks.
After the 2019 season, the Browns released Kirksey, and he played short stints with Green Bay and Houston, and will now retire a Brown.
